Notice of upcoming PIAA AGM & Director Nominations
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Financial PIAA Members are invited to attend our upcoming AGM
Tuesday 19th November 4pm AEDT (NSW, VIC TAS)
(3:30pm SA, 3pm QLD, 2:30PM NT & 1pm WA)
Held via Microsoft Teams Webinar Meeting
Register Below
You must register above to receive the access link.
N.B - Only current PIAA financial members are able to attend
Call for nominations for PIAA board of director vacancies
3 PIAA director positions have come to the end of their current 3-year terms
and are open to nominations (re-nomination)
1 x National Director
(Able to be nominated by any member from any member category)
1 x Breeder Director
(Nominee & proposers must be from breeder member category)
1 x Supplier / Manufacturer Director
(Nominee & proposers must be from supplier / manufacturer member category)
CEO’s Report
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the past 12 months and emphasize how critical your membership is to the ongoing viability of your Pet Industry Association.
Without your support, through membership, we wouldn’t be able to continue to be your advocate in protecting the Australian Pet Industry, in all its facets and forms.
A quick recap on some of the operations and issues PIAA has been involved in over the past 12 months and some of the plans for the year ahead.
Member benefits -
The Introduction of a raft of PIAA benefit partners and offers including Energy, EFTPOS & Merchant Services, Finance & Loans, Insurance, Free tax and Legal advice service. I encourage all members to review these offers on our website, as some members are reporting they have saved thousands.
PIAA Member Benefit Partners — PIAA
Advocacy –
Defending our right to keep, breed and sell pets from proposals of animal liberation groups, as is happening in NSW with the introduction of puppy farming legislation, seeking to severely restrict breeding and ban the retail sale of pets, new Victorian Animal Care & Protection legislation seeking to recognise animal sentience, Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AWS). Bird licensing in NSW, and Feline Vaccine shortage and its effect on pet boarding nationally. PIAA is the gatekeeper to protect your best interests on all these issues and many more as they arise.
Aquatics -
We have been kept busy responding to multiple reviews and proposals made by various Commonwealth and State departments., Including Biosecurity review of imported ornamental fish, risk assessments leading to proposals to ban grey listed fish species, providing input into Australian pest fish management strategy as well as the Aquaplan aquatic disease response program.
PIAA also attended a CITES conference in March, that sought to restrict the trade internationally of all ornamental marine reef fish. Without PIAA at the forefront on these issues, our industry’s ability to legally keep and trade ornamental fish would be under threat. We also continue to work with DEECCW on the progress of various applications to import new fish species.
Events -
We are proud to announce the hugely successful return of PIAA’s own managed events, AusBoard Conference (August 27th – 29th), The premier networking and professional development conference for the boarding and pet services sector
AusPet Industry Expo B2B Trade show 17th and 18th September which incorporated the AusGroom grooming competition and the return of PIAA Pet Industry awards. This year’s event saw 57 different exhibitors and was well attended by over 600 unique trade visitors over the two-day show. The success of these events will continue to further solidify PIAA’s financial position in the years ahead.
ALL three of these events will be returning again in 2025 even bigger and better, so stay tuned for some announcements and don’t miss out. The comradery and networking opportunities available or invaluable
PIAA also attended and exhibited at the consumer expo, The Pet Show in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane this year, to promote the association and our members. We also hosted networking session for members and exhibitors at the culmination of the first day at each show.
Education -
Partnership with Hanrob Training RTO to offer a variety of nationally recognised Cert II & III Animal care, management and training courses. We have also teamed up with the Aquarium Vet’s Aquarium School, iGroom Hub and Groomer Nation to offer sector specific education packages in Aquatics and Grooming.
Finances -
The books have been balanced, the unsustainable huge losses of the past are well and truly behind us. Although this year’s result shows a small net loss, this is not structural and was primarily driven by advocacy expenses associated with our work with lobbyists, SEC Newgate to protect high quality, ethical pet breeders and pet retailers from overzealous legislation.
The association has definitely returned to a viable and sustainable ongoing financial position. With continued support from you the members, will continue to grow and operate in as many ways as possible to protect, promote and grow the Australian pet industry.
As you can see it’s been a ridiculously busy 12 months, and it has stretched our available resources to the limit. Everything above has been achieved using the resources of one part time paid staff resource. I sincerely apologize if you feel anything has been overlooked, if you ever had any difficulties in getting through on the phone, or you experienced any delays in processing of memberships or dispatch of membership materials. In the new year, we will be discussing expanding our staff team to bring on additional administrative and member liaison staff resources.
Please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Warmest Regards
Anthony Ramsey
PIAA CEO